
From the Organizer
The City of Salem, known as "Virginia's Championship City", has hosted numerous NCAA National Championships as well as many other national and international sports tournaments. In 2016, we decided to branch out and bring that "Championship" mentality to running! The races start and finish at the Salem Farmers Market in downtown Salem, VA and take you on a scenic tour of Salem through neighborhoods, Roanoke College, and the downtown business district.
We have partnered with Blue Ridge Racing, the area's leading road race management organization to produce these events. In addition to managing the LewisGale Salem Half Marathon, Virginia's Blue Ridge 8K, and the G&H Contracting Kids Run, Blue Ridge Racing handles the race management for the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon and other regional events.
As an added bonus to running the LewisGale Salem Half Marathon, you will have the opportunity to earn the Virginia's Blue Ridge Triple Crown medal if you also complete the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Full or Half Marathon (in April) and the Star City Half Marathon (in November) within the same year. Is three half marathons too much for you? Run the Blue Ridge Star-K (or Relay), Salem 8K, and Star City 10K to earn the Triple Crown Sprint Series medal. This exciting race series rewards runners in the valley with some serious race medal bling and bragging rights!
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
72°
Typical Low
50°
Chance of Rain
27%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Roanoke Rgnl Ap, 6 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
25,477
as of 2023
Elevation
1,018 ft
Nearest Airport
ROA
Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport · 6 mi
Major Hub
GSO
Piedmont Triad International Airport · 82 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at LewisGale Salem Half Marathon, 8K and Kids Fun Run, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
124
Days to train
Coming Up
Rainbow Run 2026
6 miles away
Salem Distance Run
Less than a mile away
Fort Lewis 5K
Less than a mile away
Joe LaRocco 5K and 1K Elementary School Run
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
LewisGale Salem Half Marathon, 8K and Kids Fun Run
Oct 10, 2026